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Monday, 30 December 2013

William and Kate's New Year & Future Plans + More

Hello-Hello,

As we all prepare to ring in 2014, we're back with a brief post sharing the latest updates on The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. How will the royal couple celebrate? Following Christmas with the Royal Family at Sandringham, it is very much believed they will celebrate at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury.

'There had been reports that Michael and Carole Middleton had been invited to the annual Boxing Day shoot but, with Sandringham crammed to the rafters with up to 30 royals, that was a non-starter. '

The story goes on to share a quote from a friend of the couple's:

'William and Kate are just like any normal couple and want to spend time with both families. It's a situation that millions can identify with, and obviously you can't be in two places at once. The Middletons have been amazingly supportive in the past couple of years and of course they are doting grandparents to George. William likes being at Sandringham, but he also loves the informality of staying with Kate's family and just chilling out in a normal family environment.'

No doubt it will be a great night, with Kate's siblings Pippa and James and their respective partners present. The Middletons are known to be great hosts and are said to throw superb parties with family and friends. Next year, William and Kate's country home Anmer Hall, on the Sandringham estate, will be ready and it is possible they will choose to invite the Middletons there. The Norfolk home would certainly be conducive in terms of the Middletons attending the Boxing Day shoot and staying over. The Norfolk base will provide the Cambridges with a country retreat to pursue their love of the outdoors with both families, and for George and his future siblings, a fantastic place to play and explore. As you can see, renovations remain ongoing, but it shouldn't be too much longer before they can settle in.

Our next news story concerns William and Kate's plans for the next 10 weeks or so. Since the second-in-line to the throne left the RAF, William has undertaken a string of engagements supporting his patronages and other organisations of interest both publicly and privately. The next stage in his 'transitional year' will see the Prince return to school.

Prince William is to study agricultural management at the University of Cambridge to prepare himself for a future role overseeing the Duchy of Cornwall estate, a role he will take on when Prince Charles becomes king. The bespoke course begins next week and William will be a full-time student until mid-March. Kensington Palace revealed he will spend up to 20 hours per week contact time with university teaching staff, lectures and seminars studying a wide range of subjects including geography, economics and land economy. William will be given a private place to stay in Cambridge that is not connected to the university, although it is thought he may commute much of the time.

'I'm sure he'll go home at weekends. There's a chance he might decide to commute daily. We'll just have to see how it works out. He might miss the Duchess and George so much that he decides to commute from London every day.'

What will this news mean for the Duchess in terms of engagements? It appears all will be relatively quiet on that front until spring (Australia and New Zealand tour), whilst Kate focuses on taking care of George. Back to Richard Palmer's story.

'William's wife, Kate, who celebrates her 32nd birthday on January 9 will be left undertaking most of the parental responsibilities, looking after Prince George at their Kensington Palace home for the next 10 weeks.

She will step up her royal duties from the spring. But before then, she will only take part in a small number of official engagements. "For the Duchess, the next 10 weeks is about focusing on baby George," a royal source said.'

Fees for the course, which does not lead to a formal qualification, will be met privately, either by William or his father. The preparatory course will offer William a vast array of knowledge which will prove immensely useful when William runs the Duchy of Cornwall, an hereditary estate created in 1337 to provide a private income for the monarch's eldest son. Kensington Palace revealed, "He is very much looking forward to it."

It is one of several areas I imagine William will explore before September, when he is expected to start a three-year role in public service, meaning he and Kate will not be entering a life of full-time royal duties for several years. What do you think of William's choice?

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Several very enjoyable videos have surfaced from William and Kate's walk to and from the Sandringham service I think you would all enjoy. It's very nice to see them speaking candidly with well-wishers.

Amanda kindly shared a link to an ITN Source video, which offers a high-quality video from the morning. Most interestingly we see Her Majesty calling Kate from the crowd to assist her in greeting locals and accepting flowers. It is entirely possible a little girl asked for Kate, but it also shows Kate's position within the family. The Duchess has very much made the transition from a newcomer to a fully fledged member of the Royal Family, and I always get the impression Kate and The Queen enjoy a very warm relationship. In fact I look forward to seeing the two undertake more joint engagements in the future.

This insightful video recorded by members of the crowd includes quotes such as: "I should've brought Lupo out" and George is "very happy". We also see a member of the crowd asking Kate about George, to which the Duchess replies he's with "a nanny at the moment, hopefully he's being a good boy. He's very interested in all the wrapping paper. The young royals also meet some adorable Cavalier King Charles...

In this video, Prince Harry tells onlookers to "make sure you grab her... she'll be ages" of course referring to his sister-in-law.

An array of interesting videos from the day can be found on this Youtube page.

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Kate graces the cover of Hello! Magazine this week, I really did love her Christmas Day outfit, a great way to bring back a piece publicly and freshen it up with the addition of the hat.

Hello! Magazine

As requested, we'll be back with end of year polls next, where you can all vote for Kate's best looks of 2013. I very much look forward to seeing your winning choices! :)

109 comments:

I'm a bit confused about the "3 years of public service" versus full-time royal duties. I'm from the US and I thought the engagements he's been undertaking since he left RAF were royal duties. Will you explain the difference?

Royal Duties encompass undertaking engagements on behalf of the Monarch; attending key events (Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Services);supporting own patronages and charities; undertaking events on behalf of the Government. These cover not only the Great Britain and NI but also the other 15 Realms where the Queen is Head of State (this includes New Zealand, Australia and Canada).

It is these engagements that are photographed and are the one's you all see on these pages and the news and magazines,

Another aspect is that the BRF have very close links to the military and many of them hold honorary ranks - this includes the female members who married into the BRF. If you look up Sophie or Camilla on Wikipedia and go towards the bottom of the page, their honorary ranks are listed.

People sometimes make the mistake that what you see is all you get. That is not true. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes that is never reported. The exception is probably the Queen's "red boxes" which contained government papers which she reads every day (except Christmas Day). This keeps her up to date with government issues.

Full time royals duties generally dont happen immediately, and this is especially true of women who marry into the family and then have children. Sophie Wessex is still not full time but is ramping up. Prince Charles and Princess Anne do over 500 public engagements a year. plus the behind scene stuff.

William is not yet full-time and isn't intended to be until September 2014 at the earliest. Catherine isn't either and if she gets pregnant later this years for example (post the tour to Australia) then she won't go full time until 2016 at the earliest.

They will still carry out royal engagements on behalf of the Monarch and their charities but the numbers will be more like 35-60 across the year.

I feel as if the explanation given for William's lack of royal duties comes from a land of De ja vu.

This isn't attacking you in any way, but simply seeing the same excuses come up time and again so that William can put off his duties. Again.

This (or similar) excuse was given when he was 21 except then they said he would start when he was 25yrs old after he had left the military.

At 25, he signed up for military commissions such that he couldn't leave immediately. So his deadline was extended to 30 or marriage whichever came first.

At 28, he married, but he had also just signed up to a 6yr RAF commission, so his deadline shifted again to after the end of that, except as we all know he only did 3yrs of it as his service was privatised.

In the meantime, the marriage put pressure on him to come out of hiding as his wife couldn't exactly sit at home being bone idle due to his having to remain in the military. And for those who say she was a housewife, please note that this description is wishful thinking on your part for royal women. They've never had to be suzie home maker even in pre-feminist days. Their marriage is very much a public and diplomatic affair - sidenote: why don't WK have foreign friends or acquaintances who could be so helpful to their future role? Look at the Europeans with their inter-connected royal families and friends? It's a real failing of WK that 3yrs in, no diplomatic ties....

Anyway here we are again, with another gap year which is actually a 2nd year of a 24mth gap period because they announced the search and rescue termination as early as 2011 so he has already had a year to think about what to do once he left. This is why the public reacted with anger when this gap year was announced. We'd been hearing about it and how he was weighing his options about what he would do next for an entire year prior. I seem to remember everyone thought he would rejoin his regiment and be stationed either London as part of the Household Calvary or Windsor. Some even threw in Scotland......

This agricultural course is actually a refresher course for him since he already took it in 2005. I remember loads of articles about it then and Hello Magazine did a spread about his time at Chatsworth learning all about country estate and general land management. They even had a piece about where he stayed during his time at Chatsworth. It's still online if anyone cares to google.

As for expectations of Kate, she follows what William does as a royal. One can't be too negative about her because the theme in her life is to always be a follower rather than someone who leads. What is it her Jigsaw boss said about her? 'She's leading a life where she's dictated to even when she's not needed.'

She makes me sad because as a royal woman of the premier royal family in the world, she has a unique platform to affect so many things and chooses to do nothing with it.

I suppose i'm spoilt by Diana. There was a woman whom everyone had no-lo expectations and what a magnificent use of the platform despite her personal issues. She really showed what a royal could do.

@CP thanks for the great info but I did read (not sure if it is true) that William & Kate will not be full time royals for at least another 3 years because once William finishs with his scooling he is to take up some form of work experience so the article said.And I am very happy that Kate will be taking the time while William is in school to stay home full time with George.

I do enjoy reading all your post. You live in England so you would know more about how things work there alot better then some of these people here in the US who think they know how things for the royals work. Thank you.

I read something about this a few months ago.Probably we will not see too much of Catherine until the Spring.There are some really lovely videos on U-Tube--the Duchess was chatting to the crowd for ages and all the ladies had arms full of flowers.

Hurray for another post! Thanks for the end of year treat, Charlotte! :o)

I think it's great that William is continuing his education and obtaining practical knowledge he'll need in the near future. To me, it shows how seriously he takes his role in the royal family. I'm so glad that Kate will have more time wih George. I had the privilege of staying home with my children until they started school, and it was such a special time.

Thank you for sharing the videos :) I didn't expect this post so it was a welcome surprise. I love Kate's hat. I'm going to need to move to England so I can wear a hat or two or three.......maybe at least spend a year there some day!Looking forward to the poll.

Hi Charlotte - Wishing you a wonderful New Year! I was curious, watching the video where the Queen is receiving flowers - what happens to all of them? Do they get redistributed to a hospital or brought back to Sandringham?

Charlotte, thank you so very much for posting the links to the other videos-as well as the news about the Duke. I really love coming to read this blog. I wish all the readers, those posting comments, and you Charlotte, a very happy and healthy New Year! Blessings onall of us.

Robin Reed, Gillian and others: A 'full time' royal is a royal whose entire work load is royal duties only. No other distractions. It has nothing to do with behind the scenes work or public work or who they meet.

There is no such thing as a 'part time' royal despite the public assuming such a thing. Mind you, that statement shows that the public don't really understand what royal duties are or they assume that if a royal doesn't undertake behind the scenes meetings they are not 'full time'.

Any royal duties one undertakes require the royal's complete input in whatever form that may take.

What makes them seem 'part time' is the number of duties they carry out balanced with their other interests eg Harry has a military career so he can't do many duties, however, his military career is tailored to balance the amount of time he needs to carry out royal duties whether they are behind the scenes or public duties. William and Kate are the same. As are all the other royals. They may carry out more or less according to their schedules and how they balance their other interests.

I spent years working at the palace to know the difference. I went in with the public assumption and found it to be completely wrong.

Charlotte great post. I was surprised to hear that William will be going back to school (it make's sense now) & possibly leaving Kate & George at home ofr 10 weeks. But then you wrote that he could commute on a daily basis. That makes more sense. I just could not see him beign away from Kate & his baby for that long.

Wonder since she will not being doing much for that time so she can be with George, maybe they can go & stay with William on the days he can not come home do to his studies.

It says he 'may' commute daily 'IF' he misses Kate and George. All the media articles state very clearly that he is taking up single accommodation in Cambridge with caveat that his office don't really know how it will work.

He is lucky to have options so I am sure he will be flexible based on school demands and home life eventsHe can go to school and be driven home He takes the bad with his role and he should take advantage of the benefitsIt is a good example for the county his brother and an au t and uncle blew off university as they did it need it to get a jobHis uncle Andrew is an example is someone skating by not applying themselves like Charles and willsGood for William

Anonymous: 1 January 2014 16:45.....Are you kidding with the statement that uncle Andrew is skating by not applying himself like Charles and Wills?????

Just because you don't see him covered in the news doesn't mean he isn't working. The man spent 20YRS in the Navy. Plus he is a veteran having fought in the Falklands war. When he retired from the navy, he was made business ambassador for Britain. Less glamourous than kissing babies and therefore not covered in the media, but he clocks nearly as many engagements as Charles abroad. You only have to look at the annually released figures of royal engagements to see he is not a slouch. 68 of those in 2013.

Great post! I watched the video from ITN, and towards the end a line formed of all the children giving flowers to the Queen. It was so tender watching all the little girls curtsying and handing their flowers. I saw a young man in line and thought how sweet of him to give flowers as well (I very rarely see the boys giving flowers!). I did get quite the giggle out of it because it looks like he gives a curtsy as well! Please don't think I'm making fun of the boy, I do not mean the humor in it to be bad natured at all, just a light-hearted moment!

There is no way William is going to agree to live away from Kate and George during the week just to go home on weekends. I agree with previous posters that he will most likely commute daily or at least a couple of times a week. I think it is great that he is going to learn these very important topics and very glad Kate has time to spend full time with George! It shows that Will is taking the role of King very seriously. Charlotte, I cannot thank you enough for this blog. It is such a pleasure to read. Have a very happy new year!

Yes, please, I would love to see more videos! I think they can lead to interesting insights, and it is so nice to see them in motion. I love that Kate mentioned George being with a nanny in one of the clips. Her detractors are eager to act as if William and Kate engage in advanced subterfuge to prevent the public from learning that George is in fact being brought up by a battalion of nannies. In fact, no, there is a nanny (or two) on hand for when they need one, and no one is trying to hide her. Not to mention the fact that nanny-ing is an honorable profession, and when done correctly will form a lifelong bond. I don't understand the current disdain for having one as part of your household.

They are the ones who said they wouldn't engage nannies. Every time They cancel an engagement, it's emphasised very strongly that they are doing so due to a lack of help with George because they are very hands on. That's what is annoying. The subterfuge they themselves engage in and when the public point out that we don't begrudge them a nanny or two gien their responsibilities, they call the very same public ha8ers when they are the ones who planted the 'no nanny' seeds.

I've not met a single person, even when they are critical, who begrudge them the nannies. They simply hate being lied to.

Exactly when have William and Kate canceled any engagements, except of course when Kate was first pregnant and very ill? I don't seem to recall either William or Kate stating publicly that they wouldn't engage a nanny. I also can't imagine either William or Kate calling anyone "haters". I think a large part of this issue is the fact that the press makes all these wild statements and they are treated as facts, not as an opinion, wishful thinking or complete works of fiction, which of course they really are. Now don't get me wrong I enjoy reading news about William and Kate as much as the next person but I try to remember that most of the news out there about this couple is pure conjecture not fact.

Dear Anonymous- what engagements are you speaking of? I have to agree with Lauri from CA as I don't recall a single one with the exception of HRH being ill last year. AND who is lying? I also recall reading that TRH would not have a full time nanny, not that they would not have any help. You know, haters will hate- it's what they do best.

Anonymous may have cancelling engagements wrong (unless, of course, you count the gala Kate was going to attend and then didn't), but s/he does not have the excuse of having to take care of George wrong. I've read that on more than one occasion as the excuse one of them (usually Kate) wasn't somewhere. You know, because one of them has to be home with George. And then they take the nanny to a lunch where both of them are attending. And Kate had the nanny with her when she drove away from the engagement in Wales. There were photos of her in a motorway stop with Jessie Webb in the back seat of the car.

William & Catherine have never said they would not have a nanny. I have said they want to be hands on parents as much as they can. They know that their work will take them away from George for a few hours and that they would need help. But to say they are lying is just so disrepectful.

If I recall Catherine has never cancelled any engagements unless she was sick during her pregnacny with George. And she was never to attend the Gala with Taylor Swift.

And bluhare I see you have your hate Catherine hat on again today. I just wonder if you dislike Catherine why do you bother to read Charlottes great blog? Just wondering.

Lauri from CA: The royals very rarely say anything directly or they occasionally put out official statements. Afterall, officially, they aren't selling their personal lives to the masses and it's complete coincidence that we know so much about them.

The way the Palace operates is that they debrief royal reporters directly to write favourable stories about the royals to promote a particular image of them. Beyond that most, if not all, the royals have a favoured journalist who will write a positive piece about them. In Britain, we know who these people are. It's not a hidden activity. They are all on twitter so you can ask them directly if i speak the truth. When you see their byline, you know it's as good as speaking to the Palace/royal directly. This way of operating puts distance between the royals and media and gives them plausible deniability especially if the royal makes a mess. The story that shows up in print, is also written in a way that it doesn't look like a briefing from the Palace or Royal's office.

This is why one of them was very, very upset at being misled [his words] by the Palace over Kate's title. He had duly trotted out the line asked of him by the Palace for years, only for William to put something different on the birth certificate. He had an almighty hissy fit about it on twitter that made it's way into print. The Palace pacified him by giving him more access because he writes very positive pieces about William and Kate most of the time.

With regards the nanny situation, WK haven't cancelled an engagement directly except for the Centre Point ball and Kate's engagements due to 'HG', but they've been unavailable to work on the basis that one or the other or both are at home looking after George since he was born. This line is spun all the time by several favoured journalists with direct links to the palace though they aren't officially royal reporters. The no nannies line came to the masses the same way as well as being advanced by the royal reporters. It was included and continues to be included, in one of those articles that pop up from time to time telling us what a down to earth person Kate or William or both are. Since this is a line repeated often, WK's detractors always point out the contradiction. It's the latest in a series of contradictions since WK married.

Over time, as it has become very obvious that they do have help including nannies, these 'down to earth' articles have been toned down and the no nannies line transmuted to 'hands on parents' and it's actually entertaining to see it repeated here when it's a line fed from on high.

To say that the Palace doesn't condone these articles is to ignore completely all the evidence. And the Palace doesn't write anything not condoned by the royals no matter the myth of the iron hand of the 'grey men.' And the Palace is very quick to issue a correction as it did with Kate's extensions story or even to pull down a story as it did with Andrew and his questionable friend.

As for the ha8ter comment, i didn't express myself very well there. Of course WK don't call people ha8ers. This is more for their fans who can't take any criticism as simply that, but must brand a person a ha8er for daring to voice an opinion that isn't absolute love and adoration. You see it in a couple of comments on this blog though not as much as when Charlotte had started the blog, but it is a recurring counter-argument to any criticism of WK.

I think there are two extremes floating out there (based on all sorts of speculation) and the truth is somewhere in the middle. To suggest that they are 100% hands-on parents and never use a nanny is not logical given the responsibilities they have. But it's also unfair to suggest that they lie and use George as an excuse. I think they use a nanny on an *as needed* basis with Kate being the primary care-giver. Personally, I don't think they owe anyone explanations about their child care arrangements. Unless engagements are cancelled on a regular basis (something that has *not* been an issue), I'm not sure what the fuss it about.

I am a fervent reader of this blog and want to thank Charlotte for her wonderful work.

I decided to answer today to Fan from Texas because I do not want her to be the only one to say openly what she thinks about Bluhare's comments. I completely approve what you say, Fan from Texas, after all this is a blog for fans.

Danielle, you've no idea how much I laugh over here watching you and your friends get up in arms over my posts. You all conveniently ignore the positive posts and choose to focus on those you consider hateful. Well, apparently you've never read Charlotte's paragraph by the comment box. It says, and I quote, " . . . constructive discussion is encouraged, but off topic or hateful remarks will not be published." I construe that to mean that Charlotte actually encourages a good discussion, which usually doesn't happen unless there are different points of view. You disagree, obviously, which is your prerogative, but don't think for one second you all will drive me away.

And as I keep saying, so much so I feel like a broken record because you apparently don't listen, I am more than happy to discuss things with you. My opinion has been changed before, and I expect it will again.

Danielle, I don't think a difference of opinions makes this or any blog unpleasant. As a matter of fact, it makes it more interesting. What matters is how people state/present those opinions. I've enjoyed plenty of debates with bluhare (and hope to in the future) and I've never found her to be rude or disrespectful.

Well, I guess I will weigh in and say the opposite as Danielle - I appreciate Bluhare's comments and the different viewpoint she brings to the blog. Lots of the discussions in the comments are made more interesting because of Bluhare's perspective, and it's sad to see how often other commenters try to run her off by telling her she doesn't belong on a fan blog, etc.

And I want to say that I completely support everything bluhare said. As she pointed out - what is factually incorrect ? I am a bit tired of being labelled by the readers here, every time any one says anything unfavorable. How would you like it if the 'haters' started labelling the non-haters as 'psychophants' or worse ? Please desist from name-calling. It is extremely childish.

I don't think that W &K owe anyone any details of their childcare arrangements, but when childcare is trotted out as an excuse for one or both of them to 'take things easy' on the workfront, it leads the public to believe that they are the sole caregivers of the child. Clearly, it has been shown again and again - that is not the case. There is a nanny, perhaps even more, and she accompanies them everywhere and possibly lives with them. I believe that many of us could do without the excuses and subterfuge regarding work schedules.

I also want to thank Anon 21:15 for a well-worded lucid explanation of facts - bravo ! I have also noted the transition to 'hands on' parents - so very subtle.

@whitney from Arizona Please do not comfuse me with others who post under Anonymous or any other name but my own. When I write a comment I always sign my name and where I am from. I do not like being accused of being someone else so please watch what you write about other people please..

bluhare *does* make positive posts that are ignored. I think far more focus is put on her comments because she actually takes credit for her contribution by consistently posting under her user name. It's a lot more difficult to hold someone accountable if they post under "Anonymous" or if they use "other methods" to participate.

Which brings me to Whitney from Arizona... I couldn't agree more and I thank Charlotte for posting her remarks. Whitney's observations are on the money IMO. And if I may just add, how strong is a person's belief in their own contribution/opinion if they feel the need to invent support?

Gr8 discussion. U know it gets boring if we all can't make r opinions on this blog. We all admire kate sometimes don't all agree on her looks patronages work loads but it make the blog wot it is. Janet. Boston

@Whitney from Arizona I just want to add one more thing. I have elected not to respond to bluhare's comments anymore. We both have strong opinions so instead of getting into a pissing match here on this wonderful blog Charlotte works so hard on, I have elected to withhold any comments on bluhare's posting.

I for one have missed Pauline's comments of late. I have read this blog almost from the start and I have enjoyed reading Pauline's comments, she has real passion and respect for will n kate and for charlotte and her work. I see no place on this blog to bad mouth each other. It's disrespectful and very childish. I'm surprised such a personal attack on Pauline was allowed to he published. Such a pity. Bella Wiltshire

Think about it, people. All this because I dare post an opinion under my own name that isn't 100% laudatory. It's ridiculous, but I'm not going to shut up because a couple of people don't like it. You don't like what I say? Scroll past. That's what I do and it's really easy to do.

Whatever you do bluhare don't stop posting. I hate seeing people get ganged up on. Its especially cowardly on the internet. If Someone is in fact posting under several different names...that person should leave this forum now, because this forum has integrity and we don't harrass each other.

After watching the videos, I am wondering what Charles relationship with his dad is like... His relationship with his mother seems to be very good, but what happened to his relationship with his father after Diana's death?

I think that William is very ambitious. He doesn't want to just lie back on his laurels, but seems to want to engage and participate to a greater degree, than just showing up for engagements. He seems very manly (for lack of a better word).

Kate seems to be such a lovely woman. Thank you Charlotte your incredible blog.

Martha I would not beleive a word from the Star. It is just a rag paper who like's to write trash and untruths. William & Kate have a big tour coming up in April so I dobut very much if she would want to be pregnant for that trip. They are supposed to be gone for almost a month. We can hope for her to be pregnant maybe by the end of the year. But who knows.

Thank you, Charlotte, for the inclusion of the videos, the next TV I get will be bigger, so maybe I will feel like I am part of the crowd hoping the Royals will stop and chat with me and take my flowers - hee hee!

Seriously, in real time, by car or train, how long does the commute take from University to KP? Anybody been there and lived near KP?

Thanks Charlotte for this last post of 2013!!New Years Eve at the Middleton's sounds fun!!!!Thank You so much for all the Christmas videos you posted, It was nice to watch the Queen call out to Kate from all in the group, all in all a lovely Christmas morning. Wish you all a very Happy New Year 2014!!!

Charlotte thank you for another great post. I want to wish you and all of Kates fans here a very Happy New Year. Hope you all have a great 2014.And I can not wait to see what 2014 has in store for William, Kate & George.

The Duke and duchess have two nannies for prince George Jessie Webb and a Italian woman who acts as a nanny/housekeeper. Carole Middleton is there also to add support from Kates family. Off course this particular couple are more hands on than previous generations. No doubt the bonding process between mother and baby comes first. I think Kate is breastfeeding as well supplementing with bottle feeds. Prince George is a big boy. He needs plenty feeds. I guess also she's expressing too.

All this and carrying out royal duties is not going to happen. William and Kate are being prepared for the long haul. The Queen has sent a message to the nation and the commonwealth that the royal family is gradually adjusting to the heir prince Charles. And William is being prepared for the role of prince of Wales. The women are there to support their husband as say the prince Phillip has always supported the Queen. Camilla has far more experience of life of course and Kates time will come.

People are mistaking royal duties for celebrity. Kate first and foremost job is supporting her husband in his constitutional duties before anything else. And that includes personal interest The charity work she undertakes are a way of slowly easing her into the spotlight. This year she will probably take more patronages because many requests are put forward from the public. Everything is timed and prepped to fit schedules. Royal schedules are planned far ahead and never cancelled.

Happy new year to you all. And thank you lady Charlotte for the blog.

Hope to see you in the UK soon to see more royal heritage close up. I'm sure you'll definitely stay. ...:):)

Sam Thank y ou for your insight. Love like that people who live in England post here and let's people know who live in other parts of the world what royal life is really like. I too live in England and I have to laugh at some of these people who think they know what is going on with William & Catherine and how the royals work. They know nothing except what they read in all the papers and magazines. And we know most of that is just made up.And then they get into it here with others who make post that they do not like. I just wish people wopuld not act like they know it all regarding William & Catherine and the royal family. We who live in England do know a little bit more than those who live in the United States and other parts of the world.

I agree people read articles and act like the info was told to them by a friend and is trueReading some comment I wonder how gulable some folks areFor all we know the marriage could be great or weak that is all between the two of them as it should be. I should mention it seems strong to me but no one but tHem knows

Robin Indiana USAI am happy that William is taking the time to study!!! And yes right now Kate's job is to patent little George. This has been planned for months and I have no problem with it. Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors except for William and Kate with the Queens blessing. Happy NEW Year Charlotte wishing you the best in 2014!

Happy New Year to all! I am a fan from Virginia. Thank you so much Charlotte for the time and research. I thoroughly enjoy reading the posts and eagerly await each one. Many blessings! Monica from Virginia

I love this blog, but sometimes the comments are a bit much. No one has direct access the W & K. We have no real idea how they live their lives and its really no one's business. I enjoy the grace that Kate portrays and a sense of down to earth style she has brought the royal family. We should not try and make assumptions on their lives. If Kate needs to be with her baby then she should be able to. We are not entitled to get explanations for every move thet make.

I find it very sad that so many people should consider that a new mother should leave her baby and "get a job".In all too many families it is a financial necessity---but that doesn't apply to the Duke and Duchess.I don't doubt she will carry out some engagements, but if she feels her baby should come first---then good luck to her.I feel I was very lucky to have my children at a time when it was considered normal for Mum to be the primary carer and that we could afford the loss of my salary---there was plenty of time later when the children were older to go back to outside work. I don't think Catherine ever said she wouldn't have a nanny---just that she didn't want one in the first few weeks. When they asked William's former Nanny to help out---it was announced--not hidden and I suspect she is part-time as she is over 70.

I don't know where people get the impression that a royal princess has to go to "work"??. How many wives of heads of states go to work"??. Does Michelle Obama do a "job".. No her job is to support her husband the president. What about the prime ministers wife or the French presidents wife. ?? They might have had a job before but now they support their husbands who is gewd of state.

A monarchy is completely different. And the British monarch uniquely so, in that it's a huge and vast royal institution over millenia old covering literally many countries.

Kate the duchess life will be to represent the UK in a non political way but also to support two future kings as a wife and now mother. She is not a celebrity who needs to support herself. She's independently wealthy and married to a prince of the realm. She can only promote good causes by her considerable profile. Which she does. Nobody could lead a life of a princess or really want too. She is just fine as she doing.

People who are calling her lazy, don't know what they're talking about. Rather she's taking it easily She makes all look effortless. And that takes a lotta wotk.

Those who have called Kate lazy in the past really did not know how busy she was at her work then. And now her activity level is doubted, though she is a busy mother, wife, and royal figure with plenty of duties in all three areas of her life. During the past year, she has overseen the renovation of a large apartment in a palace, borne and cared for a son, and moved into her new home. In addition, she has attended royal and charity events, showing knowledge and clear interest. Over the coming weeks she will still be caring for Prince George and also preparing for a major tour, which will require an enormous wardrobe and good knowledge of the places and people she will visit. Kate's is an enviable life in some ways, and one she carefully chose, but the intrusions of the press and the demands of the monarchy must be difficult at times. I believe she and Prince William should be given credit for the transition they are making from military to royal life, and for their willingness to pursue private and public duties in an apparently good natured and accommodating way.

Prince Charles cut back his royal duties when his children were young, and was derided for talking to his plants, but everyone has forgotten that he was allowed to concentrate on his young family for a time. One gets the feeling that Charles may be directing William's life at the moment; he and the Queen no doubt see the need for family time but also for William and Catherine to prepare for their future. The changes must be somewhat stressful, with a lot in one year. So far I think they have handled the move toward the future well, and I am puzzled by comments to the contrary. They are still a young couple; let's give them our interest and blessing!

I agree with your comments and that's a very good point (reminder!) about Charles being criticized for cutting back royal duties to spend time with his own young family. And he was next in line; William and Kate are not and they are also transitioning from a life in Anglesey to a life in London, with a baby added to the mix.

I also believe you're on the money about Charles having say over William's life, but I will add that I think it's for both good and bad reasons. Yes, I think the RF has learned lessons from the past and they are trying to avoid similar mistakes, but I also think it's self-serving in order for the focus to be on Charles and Camilla.

There was a post here, since deleted, that insulted and maligned me. This post accused me of being a troll, of being dangerous, of being two faced, basically being a lot of things. For the record, I have never lied on this blog, nor have I said anything I don't believe. I don't hide behind "anonymous" and I don't sock. Furthermore, trolls don't post under the same name everywhere they go, nor do they post to encourage discussion which I have tried to do (obviously quite unsuccessfully).

Yes, I have posted on different sites and blogs, always under my own name. I post on very few now. This and one other site regularly. I've said some things that will offend people here, and I make no apologies for them. However, when I first started posting when WK got married, I was a huge fan. Some people very nicely told me I didn't have all the facts, and I started to change my opinion based on what they showed me. It went pretty negative for a while too. The pendulum has now swung back to the middle as I've continued to read and learn. Hence posting on this blog. I remember when I first posted here, I said I'm not a die hard fan, but the hater blogs are much too hatey for me these days (which if you read between the lines pretty much implied I've visited and posted on at least one), and I was hoping Charlotte's blog would be more friendly as there are things I really like about Kate, as well as things I don't. You can look all this up in the blog archive. You can ask me. I'll tell you. But you know what? No one here EVER asked me, certainly none of the people who think I'm a danger to everyone. I kept waiting and hoped. Didn't happen.

What did happen? The drive bys. The one liners that insulted me as a person, but not what I wrote. That was conveniently ignored. I tried to ignore most of it. Then yesterday all hell broke loose because one person thought that another person might be posting under different names (known as socking). Then it really blew up and, apparently, IT"S ALL MY FAULT. Well, I didn't say it, but I'll take the heat for it. Frankly, I don't really care as other than here it impacts my life exactly . . . nowhere.

If anyone would have asked me I'd have said, yes, I hold some opinions that might not go over well here. So you know what? I don't post them! I post opinions on the right of the pendulum, not on the left. I didn't realize there was a test one had to take prior to posting here to show that you're a fawning sycophant. Yes, that's a harsh statement, but the post said that this blog is about "unconditional love" for Kate. Apparently unconditional love is defined as unconditional praise, no matter what the blog owner says below.

Speaking of Charlotte, I've got no idea what Danielle is talking about when she mentions messages between me and Charlotte. None. There aren't any, other than a few emails where I asked Charlotte a question. And the statement about Charlotte's "love" for bluhare is simply distasteful. Being fair should not be subject to ridicule.

Danielle is right about one thing. I also think the "trouble" started when began posting. Not because I'm a Dangerous Troll, but because Danielle, Pauline, Kathy London, Fan from Texas, et al. do not care for my opinions and want me gone. Believe it or not, I actually felt some guilt over that, but not enough to quit posting. Sorry, ladies.

I was hoping this blog's population consisted of people with enough maturity to realize most people don't hold 100% positive or 100% negative opinions about most things. Including Kate. Apparently, these people don't agree with that, and think it's their right to police the content of this blog. OK fine. Police away. But don't think for one nanosecond you're going to drive me off.

Well bluhare, I am happy to hear that you will not be driven off. We may not agree on everything, but I have enjoyed our debates. They've always been civil and I respect you for that. It has always been my belief that it doesn't matter if people don't see eye to eye as long as they treat each other with respect, and our debates have validated that for me. Thank you for that...........and I look forward to more "discussions" in the future! :)

Me too, Bluhare!!!I want you, and others, to keep posting. I love reading all posts. There is so much to learn not only about the UK but about blogging - how many of our readers knew what 'socking' meant? I bake a lot so I m used to hot kitchens...

@bluhare I have never said anything about you being dangerous or a troll. I have dedicded not to comment anymore on your post just because I do not want to get into a pissing match with you. Charlotte works to hard on this blog for people who really like Kate.

And for the last time I am not neither Kathy from London nor am I Fan from Texas. If I have something to I always put my name and where I am from. And I have no idea who Danielle is.

You do not like what I have to say nor do I like most of your comments so it is better that I do not comment amymore on your post. Better for both of us.

Pauline, if you look at my posts and the replies to them, Pauline has not responded to them in quite a while other than in that fiasco above, so I'm not sure what you're talking about. Also, my post is not directed at you, but at Danielle who wrote the post that has since been deleted.

Pauline, I've got nothing against you. I'm even fine posting back and forth with you as long as it stays out of the personal arena and on topic. I don't like insults any more than you do, so if we can keep it insult-free I'm fine talking with you. If it won't be insult-free, then please do ignore my posts.

I would like to bury the hatchet and enjoy 2014 on this blog. Not only will it make Charlotte's life easier, but it will be more fun here too.

@bluhare When I was reading your above post, you did mention me in it saying that I wanted you gone. If I remember correctly I said if you did not like Kate then why do you visit this blog. And that does not say anything about wanting you gone. It was just asking you a question. And also I took it that you were accusing me as to being Kathy from London and Fan from Texas.

You have been reading this blog for awhile now so you know I always sign my name and wher I am from. And yes until this post last night and today I have reframed from commenting on any of your post. And like I said I do not want to get into a pissing match because of our difference of opinions.

I will bury the hatchet but still not sure if I will ever comment on any of your post.

Charlotte,I had never blogged before until I blogged with you! Now I'm beginning to have second thoughts about this whole blogging business. I appreciate your wonderful articles and all your hard work, and I do very much enjoy hearing different opinions about Kate's fashion choices, learning new things about the UK, and sharing perspectives with people from all over the world about a topic of mutual interest. However, I just want to have fun! Call me Pollyanna, but I don't like the personal attacks one bit--no matter which blogger I happen to agree with more! I think we need to lighten up and not take everything so seriously! This whole enterprise is not meant to be a matter of life and death!

bluhare, as a longtime reader of this blog, I always enjoy reading your comments, and your debates with royalfan especially. You put thought into what you say and I think you generate very interesting and intelligent discussions. I like it when people share their differing opinions and I find it refreshing to have something other than kate-is-perfect-allthetime sort of comments. Cheers!

I'll come late to the party and say I think those who remember Diana working harder than Kate are recalling the last few years of Diana's life when her boys were at school, and frankly, she was constructing a war campaign against Charles. Not saying I blame her, but the PR wars were very unpleasant on both sides back then. I think all young mothers deserve plenty of time with their babies, good for Kate for keeping her priorities straight and having the money and family support to do it. I feel certain by the time Charles is King, she'll be clocking hundreds of royal engagements. I am not sure why several on this blog are so angry about nannies or no nannies and "honesty", which means how Palace staff phrase information. Of course I am American and not obliged to give a small portion of my taxes to maintain the Royal family, Your choice, cousins across the Pond. I should think you'd be glad to be different from the usual Euro socilaist democracy, but it is, after all, within your power to change. I just can't get that upset over a nice young couple taking their time to move slowly into a public role that seems deadly dull and I would not take on a bet.

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